Alfa Laval ACFC/M Series, Installation, Utilization And Maintenance Manual

Page: 8 / 120

6
densate in all cases.
The exchanger must be positioned in such a way
as to allow any inspection, maintenance and
replacement operations.
2.4 CONNECTIONS AND CHECKS TO BE
PERFORMED DURING INSTALLATION
Tightening the head. Before connecting the
water pipes, check the tightness of the screws on
the head using a torque wrench, as due to its
elastomeric structure the seal tends to relax and
stretch after having been tightened in the factory.
The tightening torque of the screws must be
checked based on the values and the sequence
shown in
Table 5
Absorbent fillers. In order to keep the refriger-
ant circuit dry, at the end of the production proc-
ess absorbent fillers are inserted on the
refrigerant side, and these must be removed.
They are located at the refrigerant inlet.
Refrigerant connections. Three types of refrig-
erant connections are available: Rotalock fittings,
welded connections and flanged connections,
see
Fig. 6 . The connections on the standard
exchangers are in all cases made of carbon steel.
All the refrigerant connections must be tested
under pressure after tightening.
The tightening torque of the flange screws must
be as shown in
Table 7 .
Water side connections. Two types of water
connections are available: threaded connection
or flexible joint. The connections are generally
ISO 228/1-G female, up to 5". For further infor-
mation, refer to the Alfa Laval Condensers cata-
logue.
Earthing the interchangeable anodes. The
condensers for salt water operation are fitted with
interchangeable anodes located on the head,
opposite the water connections. Make sure the
anodes are earthed before starting the system,
see
Fig. 8 .
2.5 SAFETY ACCESSORIES
The following devices should be connected in
order to ensure the correct operation of the con-
denser.
• REFRIGERANT RELIEF VALVE. This must
be installed using the fittings on the shell. Make
sure that the setting of the valve is not higher
than the pressure (PS) specified on the rating
plate on the exchanger. Special care should be
paid to the positioning of the valve, making
sure it is installed between the exchanger and
any on-off valves in the circuit.
• VIBRATION-DAMPING DEVICES. In some
cases, in order to protect the tubes and the
welded connections, the condenser may need
to be insulated from the vibrations transmitted
by the compressor, by installing suitable vibra-
tion dampers or shock absorbers.
• WATER FILTER. The use of a water filter is
always recommended, especially when there
may be sediment, dirt or solid particles in the
liquid.
• WATER FLOW CONTROL VALVE. This must
be installed at the condenser outlet, in order to
prevent water hammer that may cause vibra-
tions and consequent damage.
3. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR
CORRECT OPERATION
3.1 ANALYSIS OF HAZARDS FOR THE
OPERATOR
The operating pressure and temperature on the
refrigerant side and water side of the system must
comply with the maximum values shown on the
condenser’s rating plate, see
Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 .
• PRESSURE. The condensers are pressurised
containers, and as such are governed by the
national standards (most importantly, EC
Directive 97/23 PED) relating to these appli-
ances. The exchangers have been designed
and manufactured in compliance with the refer-
ence standards. The operator must therefore
observe all the active and passive safety
requirements defined by the standards.
• TEMPERATURE. The condensers are
designed to operate with temperatures (both
on the refrigerant side and water side) no
higher than 90°C (average wall temperature).
Therefore, suitable protection should be used
in the event of contact with the outer walls of
the condenser.
• REFRIGERANT. The Alfa Laval condensers
are designed for operation with Group 2 refrig-
erants as per art. 9 of EC Directive 97/23.
These fluids are not toxic, harmful or explosive,
however require the observance of normal pre-
cautions. In particular, in the case of refrigerat-
ing systems in which the refrigerant is pre-
charged, all the environmental conditions that
may lead to an abnormal increase in pressure
must be envisaged and the operation of the
safety devices must not be disabled. In any
case, the requirements relating to the installa-
tion of the refrigerant relief valve, as in point
2.5 of this manual, must be observed. In the
case of exchangers suitable for operation with
Group 1 fluids, all the safety standards
required by EC Directive 97/23 and the various
national standards must be strictly observed by
the operator.
• WATER. Water with the addition of some anti-
freeze fluids may be toxic.